Anni Barrett trained as an Occupational Therapist at Wits University during the 80’s and has since worked for 35 years as an OT with a wide range of people of all ages, situations, and nationalities in South Africa and the UK.
A rigorous and diverse early training sparked a lifelong curiosity and concern for the wellbeing of people, and prompted a pursuit to better understand the connections between the emotional and the physical. Throughout her long career Anni has sought to broaden her knowledge and strengthen her intuition. She trained as a Polarity Therapist in South Africa in 1994 and as an Integrative Baby Therapist in the UK, completing her training in 2016. Anni’s quest has led her to further study the work of renowned teachers in a variety of disciplines and subject areas, including cognitive behaviour therapy, meditation and sensory processing.
Anni has experience of working with babies, children, adolescents and adults. Apart from periods of working in private practice. Anni has worked in the following institutional settings in South Africa and the UK: pre, primary and high schools (for children who are neurodivergent and/or have a learning disability); state hospitals; and child centred and adult focused community clinics and projects.
Anni has extensive experience facilitating training and workshops in subjects related to her work.
Her present practice combines Polarity Therapy and Integrative Baby Therapy and is underpinned and informed by Occupational Therapy. Engaging with Buddhist teachers and meditation practice for more than 30 years continues to support her personal development and guide her work.
Anni’s work is premised on an understanding that her clients (including babies), are conscious beings. She works holistically.